Fine Gold Coin - Jacques Cartier - Mintage: 2000 (2013)

75% SOLD! The second of six coins in our exciting Great Explorers series!

Jacques Cartier was born in Saint-Malo, France, in 1491, at a time when the humanist ideals of the Italian Renaissance were beginning to spread throughout Europe. In the second decade of the sixteenth century, Francis I (François Ier) ascended to the throne of France. He was a great patron of arts, letters and discovery and, inspired by humanist influences but also by his desire to enrich France's wealth and power, Francis I sought to find a northwest passage to the riches of the Orient. Having heard that areas of North America were abundant with gold and gems, he enlisted the services of Jacques Cartier to find them and locate a passage to Asia.

Although Cartier was not the first European to visit eastern Canada, his discovery and exploration of the St. Lawrence laid the groundwork for centuries of trade and settlement to follow. He is counted among the great explorers of his era and it is from his map design and other records that Europeans gained some of their earliest understanding of the landscape of North America and the customs of its aboriginal residents.

If you already own the Vikings coin, the first in the Great Explorers series, then you must purchse this coin!

Special features:• Your coin is the second coin in the Royal Canadian Mint's six part series featuring the Great Explorers of Canada that highlights the famous explorer Jacques Cartier, his full-length portrait rendered in exceptional detail.
• A beautiful and memorable design depicts Cartier at a key moment in his exploration of Canada, while also highlighting the fundamental role and importance of Canada's Aboriginal peoples in the country's history and origins.
• Your coin is 99.99% pure gold and GST/HST exempt.
• Limited mintage of only 2,000 worldwide.

Design:Your coin was designed by Canadian artist Laurie McGaw and depicts a full-length three-quarter profile portrait of explorer Jacques Cartier, flanked by French soldiers and an aboriginal guide, as he stands atop a riverbank, surveying this new land of "Canada." Your coin is engraved with the word "CANADA," the year "2013," and the face value of "200 DOLLARS."

Packaging:• Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a black sleeve.
• Your coin is accompanied by a serialized certificate—your proof of ownership for this coin and evidence that your coin has been individually inspected by our resident quality assurance specialists.

I am not a pro at this but, when I am contemplating buying a new coin, I look for one with attractive design, great quality and value and although I think that the Jacques Cartier coin is over priced, I am very glad I bought it.

I purchased this coin for my collection and investment purposes. The Canadian Mint does incredible, unbelievable work. It is amazing what can be made from precious metals. Each piece is a work of art!!! Great job to the staff and management. Little wonder you have an international reputation; you certainly earned it.

My eyes just about popped out of their sockets when I first laid eyes on this coin. I thought the Viking coin (the first in the six piece series) was beautiful. But boy, this certainly matched it and even surpassed it in my opinion.

I just CAN'T WAIT until the next 4 coins come out over the next four years. I want to see what the Royal Canadian Mint will do for an encore. I'm sure they will deliver, as always.

You can be assured that the Mint fully guarantees the superior quality and craftsmanship of its products. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can simply return it to us in its original packaging within 30 days and we will gladly offer you a replacement (subject to product availability) or send you a full refund. In the case of a defective product, we will accept the return up to one year from the date of purchase.